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I have done some poking around on the internet, and it seems to me that, if I know the specs of the products that I am looking for, and I can get the right warranties, one option would be to buy the hvac units from an online company, and then pay someone to install them.

Other than the risk associated with buying things online, what other potential downside would there be with this plan ?

Originally posted by detroit_pierogi I have done some poking around on the internet, and it seems to me that, if I know the specs of the products that I am looking for, and I can get the right warranties, one option would be to buy the hvac units from an online company, and then pay someone to install them.

Other than the risk associated with buying things online, what other potential downside would there be with this plan ?

Other than what Lifer said, you run the risk of incorrectly choosing your equipment, even if you think you "know the specs of the product" you are looking for. Online equipment sellers aren't all that interested that you choose the right equipment. They're interested in moving boxes, period. If you happen to pick the right stuff for your house, it's an ace in your pocket, but it's still a crapshoot unless you're trained to size equipment properly for a house.

You also may have a hard time getting a reputable contractor to install equipment they did not sell you. Sure, there's somebody out there who will be glad to put your stuff in, but can you trust them? It's not THEIR equipment they are placing their company name on to stand behind, so what motivation do they have to ensure YOUR equipment is installed right? They also may not offer you a warranty, or if they do, it may well be a taillight warranty. That's the kind that's good until his taillights disappear from the foot of your driveway.

Electricity makes refrigeration happen.

Refrigeration makes the HVAC psychrometric process happen.

HVAC pyschrometrics is what makes indoor human comfort happen...IF the ducts AND the building envelope cooperate.

you will have a problem finding someone to install for you. if you do find someone dumb enough to do the install and they go to fire up your A/C and it doesn't work, comes up DOA (it happens), then what? you're still gonna pay for the install..right? you will have ZERO warranty.

I went to one of the sites and they refered me to my company as a contractor that would install their units. I sent them an e-mail and thanked them for the thought of confidence but I asked them to take me off their site and they did.

What if I say to a guy "I know that you are not making money off of the products, so throw an extra $ X on the installation."

You guys sound like you either work as one man shows or with a few other guys. Most of the companies that certain local resources say are reputable are gigantic - 50 - 100 employees. The sales guys are separated from the installation guys, who are separated from the service guys. I know that none of these big shops are going to do anything like this.

If I find a smaller shop or a one man show and make it worth his while, and I make sure that I don't get hustled on a manufacturer's warranty, is it still such a bad idea ?

What if I say to a guy "I know that you are not making money off of the products, so throw an extra $ X on the installation."

If the manufacturer won't honor the warranty due to internet sales, where's your gain if you pay the installer extra dough? Where have you really saved any money at all if you're willing to do this?

Can you see how this can run away from you? You try to save money by purchasing the equipment yourself. You then receive machinery with no warranty. You manage to find an installer, who balks until you sweeten the kitty to his liking. He then installs the stuff and takes a hike. You later have a problem and call the guy. You then find that a) he's no longer in business since he was only a fly-by-night hack or a moonlighting tech that got busted by his boss and canned, or b) he finds himself devoid of motivation to respond to your request since he didn't sell you the stuff, or c) he always seems too busy to return your calls.

Add to this, he didn't do that great of an install, so your system costs more to run than it would had it been put in and set up properly.

Where have you saved any money??

Electricity makes refrigeration happen.

Refrigeration makes the HVAC psychrometric process happen.

HVAC pyschrometrics is what makes indoor human comfort happen...IF the ducts AND the building envelope cooperate.

Say What ...

You guys sound like you either work as one man shows or with a few other guys. Most of the companies that certain local resources say are reputable are gigantic - 50 - 100 employees.

Detroit, facts are large shops as you already figured out have salesmen to pay, insallers to pay and office over head.

Large doesn't mean reputable it means expensive, jsut a fact!

But even finding an independent contractor willing to take the profit margin out of the job to install customer purchased equipment is going to be difficult.

Most likely you will be responsible for all warranty,labor, ect. This means is your installing contractors time is money, anyting he does is time $$$$. If you have any start up issues, delays because of malfunctions, you are still going to pay him. And your going to pay him when he rturns after you have gotten repalcement or correct parts.

On the other hand if you find a resonably price contractor that sells you equipment, you'll have 100% parts/labor warranty. If there's problem, guess what you don't pay more the contractor deals with his supplier over the malfunction or wrong parts, ect.

Buying from the internet might save you a few dollars on the purchase but the headache of having to deal with any warranty issues if any makes it logically not worth it.

Warranty ( What Warranty)

If I find a smaller shop or a one man show and make it worth his while, and I make sure that I don't get hustled on a manufacturer's warranty, is it still such a bad idea ?

Manufacture warranty only provides part warranty not labor. Your ired installing contractor will not provide you labor warranty on your parts either. Thats part of the margin in marking up parts (WARRANTY).

In the event you have a hard failure covered under mfg warranty within the 1st year. You sir will be soley responsible for contacting dealer thast sold you the equipment follow their warranty procedures for a repalcement part. If it is a majopr part they may want you to ship the part(s) for verification before they will provide a replacement part. In the meantime you've paid you contactor to come out remove the parts for you, you ship them and you scheudle another chargeable service call to raplace the parts if and when you get this...

ARE YOU GETTING THE PICTURE Detroit?

Read between the lines for meaning of warranty... Many mfg require proof equipment was installed by a licensed certified contractor and that scheduled service/maintenance ahve been provided to keep the warranty in effect.

You just can't buy an air conditioner any more install it and forget it until it dies and expect to use a 10 Year compressor warranty at year 8 if you do not have servie records... Their not giving the equipemnt away.

Hey Pierogi, go get your online equipment so we can sit back and laugh. The only person you will be able to find to install it is a uninsured, unlicensed hack. Then we can all laugh at the problems you post on the site. In addition, there are various professionals on this site. We have installers, techs, shop owners, engineers, sales reps...you name it. Dont try to insult our intelligence or yours by buying equipment off the net. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

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